By Chris Pressley, Paint Asheville

Working on many homes in Biltmore Park, we see many common substrates: Hardie siding, MiraTEC trim, stucco, pressure-treated decking and rails, cedar shakes, wood posts and decorative beams. Here are some helpful tips to prevent further damage to some of those substrates and protect and preserve your home after Hurricane Helene.

Flooding or excessive amounts of water on masonry can get into cracks, and efflorescence in the form of alkali will form. This appears as a white, salty-looking residue on brick, stucco and foundations. Neutralizing and sealing the surface will protect it from corrosion and delamination, saving you from future resurfacing costs.

Mold and mildew can form after a severe storm as a result of excess moisture and heat. On the exterior of the home, this can be treated with a 20% bleach and TSP (trisodium phosphate) solution. Interior surfaces such as drywall should be checked with a moisture meter to determine if moisture is still present. In some cases, drywall may have to be cut out, insulation removed and framing treated to prevent mold from forming.

Windows, trim and open joints where the surface was previously caulked should be inspected. If previous caulking has broken or separated, new, high-quality caulking should be applied. Loose caulk should be cut out prior to re-caulking.

Exposed wood on window sills, fascia boards and wood trim should be primed to seal even if it takes a few days to topcoat.

Making sure all gutters are clean and downspouts are flowing properly will prevent water from overflowing and doing future damage.

By Chris Muccio, Blue Mountain Gutter Co. 

Keeping your gutters clean and well maintained is important in protecting your home. Your gutters should be cleaned and inspected at least twice a year. This prevents water from finding its way into your basement or crawl space, and keeps allergens from moisture, like mold and mildew, from creeping into your indoor spaces.

The lifespan of a gutter system is approximately 20–30 years. Regular maintenance will increase the life of your gutters, prevent structural damage and save you money in the long run.

Many variables factor into your decision on how often you clean out your gutters and drainage system. We recommend two times a year, once in the spring and once in the fall; however, if your home is in the woods, has trees above or around the property or has the smaller (2x3) downspouts, it could mean that keeping up with your gutters is a year-round job. 

Living in the woods or under the shade of trees can be amazing. Trees can protect you from heavy rainfalls, snowfalls and the heat of the sun, but the amount of debris those trees are dropping into your gutters can create major water problems.

Blue Mountain Gutter Co. offers several options including standard gutter cleaning, biannual gutter cleaning, annual gutter cleaning and triannual cleaning and beyond.